How to Think about ‘Mental Ability’ in Running and Other Sports

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-26-2018

Publication Title

Sport, Ethics and Philosophy

First page number:

1

Last page number:

17

Abstract

Coaches and athletes often talk about ‘mental abilities’ that improve athletic performance in a way distinct from physical talents. But the existence of distinct mental abilities in sport is prima facie implausible since (dualists aside) all mental states are physical states of the brain, and all physical bodily movements are the results of mental guidance. Yet it still seems useful and important to talk about a distinctly ‘mental’ aspect of athletic performance. In this paper, I try to clarify what a distinctly mental realm of sports would be and discuss how we can talk about it in ways that can help athletes improve.

Keywords

Mental; Physical; Toughness; Sport

Disciplines

Other Philosophy

Language

English

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